It’s been a blistering hot Summer here. At times I have trouble focusing, my head feels a daze as I watch the heat shrivel out the remaining life of our cucumber plants. Day after day the temperatures soared past 100 even 105! How is that even legal? It’s even unbearable to walk around barefoot anymore; the once soft plushy grass is now replaced with a crunchy yellow patch. My feet strive for relief.

I can hardly wait for Fall to arrive and I often pray hard for rain. It seems that God is listening — for the past two mornings have been graced by the soft pitter patter of rain drops beating against my window. What relief for this scorching hot Summer. What joy life must feel after such an absence. If only it rained harder so I could sing and dance and twirl like a child again.

Basil has been growing like mad; the fragrance can be intoxicatingly sweet. It has a sharpness to it that lingers within you, an awakening of the senses. I decided to pair fresh basil with ginger soda and added a citrus kick with some fresh grapefruit juice. Since alcohol makes me blush, I tend to find refreshing mixes that can be just as satisfying as your next mimosa.

Speaking of which – feel free to mix with a bottle of champagne or maybe even a bottle of white wine for a tasty sangria! Enjoy the last bits of Summer while it lasts. So let’s raise our glasses: Here’s to you Summer, thanks for the hot beating, it’s time for you to leave, and please don’t come back as angry as you did this year. Cheers!